[1][2] Fixed ropes also help to identify the line of the climbing route in periods of low visibility (e.g. a storm or white-out).
[10] Fixed ropes are not used in 'alpine style' mountaineering as they are considered akin to a form of aid climbing.
[11] Guided climbing expeditions to Himalayan peaks such as the easier eight-thousanders, often set up extensive networks of fixed ropes on steep or icy sections of the climbing route to help their less experienced clients, and to allow their porters and sherpas move quickly along the route.
[12][13] For example, on the Hillary Step of Everest, networks of fixed ropes improve client safety, but then cause bottlenecks at altitudes in the death zone.
[12][13] The ethics on the use of extensive fixed rope networks by commercial adventure companies facilitating access to dangerous eight-thousander summits for weaker climbers is a source of debate in mountaineering.